It is a sweet tonic herb that both stimulates and relaxes the nervous system and encourage the secretion of hormones, improves stamina, lowers blood sugar as well as cholesterol levels and increases resistance to disease.

It contains at least 18 triterpenoid saponins, called ginsenosides or panaxosides and they are glycosides of oleanolic acid, 20-S-protopanaxdiol, ginseng polysaccharides (panaxans), pectin, free sugar, vitamins B1, B2, B12, nicotinic acid, pantothenic acid, biotin, choline, fats, minerals and polyacetylenes.